Rene F Maes

Rene' Francis "Fritz" Maes, Sr., a lifelong resident of Mankato, died suddenly at his Lake Washington home Tuesday, May 26, 2009. Funeral services will be Monday, June 1, 2009 at 10:30 a.m, with visitation one hour prior at Ss. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church, burial at Calvary Cemetery. There will be a prayer service Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. continuing with a visitation from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to Loyola Catholic Schools.
Rene' Francis "Fritz" Maes Sr. was born June 6, 1934 to Emil C. & Florence M. (Mettler) Maes. He attended Ss. Peter and Paul's Catholic school, graduated from Mankato Loyola High School and attended Mankato Business College where he met his wife of 54 years, Rhea J. (Horswell) Maes, and together they had 10 children. He became owner in 1966 of the family owned Mettler's Bar & Restaurant in downtown Mankato and also owned and operated Mr. Rene's Banquet Hall and Chevy's Sports Bar and Grill.
Rene' truly lived life to its fullest and dearly loved his wife Rhea, he always described her "as his girl in the red sweater", his children, family, friends, employees, teammates had a genuine self-professed belief that life was about making a kind difference in peoples lives, and that is how he lived his life, really making each day count. He loved to make people smile! With his charming wit one could hear a hearty chuckle from him as he declared he had to raise his drink prices a nickel or dime for each of his 10 children as they were born. Not only was he very active in his children's lives, he also maintained lifelong community involvement being involved in the development of the Mankato Little League program, was a long-time member and served as president of the Mankato Jaycees, a member of the Mankato Ambassador's Club, served on the Mankato Human Rights Commission, as well as an active fund raiser for the United Way, a volunteer coach for various youth teams in the 1960's and 1970's, a member of the Loyola Booster's Club and sponsored numerous youth sports teams and fast-pitch softball teams in and around the Mankato area. He was inducted into the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame in 1995, the Schola Foundation Hall of Fame in 2003 and recognized for his involvement and sponsorship of Mankato youth baseball Little League programs and teams in June 2008. Fritz was an avid Minnesota Twin's fan and Chicago Cub's fan, enjoyed card playing with his buddies, children and grandchildren, watching many a beautiful sunset with Rhea and his family, sailing, boating and fishing (he always had the "biggest fish" story to tell!), traveling with Rhea and his family and several hobbies.
He is survived by his wife Rhea Maes and their children, Marie Maes-Voreis and husband, Richard of Prior Lake, Mike Maes of Mankato, Rene' Maes Jr. and wife Maggie Clark-Maes of Mankato, Susan Maes-Doherty-Yelk and husband Patrick Yelk of Brooklyn Park, Melinda Maes-Bilse and husband Jerry Bilse Sr. from Eden Prairie, Mark Maes and wife Heidi Thelen-Maes from Shakopee, Marci Maes-Friedrichs and husband Jeremy Sr. of Mankato, Matt Maes and wife Cheri Weber-Maes of North Mankato. Twenty seven grandchildren; Jonathon Doherty, Aaron Voreis and wife Robin, Michael Maes and wife Kristy, Kristin Doherty, Daniel Maes, Katherine Doherty, Adam Voreis, Margaret Doherty, Joshua Bilse, Patrick Doherty Jr., Rene' Maes III, Angela Voreis, Meredith Bilse, Jennifer Maes, Madelynn Bilse, Alex Maes, Jeremy Friedrichs Jr., Jerry Bilse Jr., Rebecca Friedrichs, Lillian Maes, Benjamin Maes, Lydia Maes, Jacob Maes, Paul Maes, David Friedrichs, Peter Maes, Evan Maes and one great grandchild Brandon Maes. He is also survived by his brother Robert Maes of Mankato, niece Patti Maes and nephew Rick Maes and wife Shelly and their five children and first cousin Lorraine Cazin and her husband Joe and children Sara and David. Brother in laws, David and Judy Horswell of Dumfries, VA, Stan Horswell of Dunnell, MN, Dan and Barbara Horswell of South Euclid, OH, and sister-in-law, Ruth and David Hall, of Platte city, MO,. He was preceded in death by children, John Patrick who was 4 " and Ann Margaret who was 38 and parents, Emil and Florence Maes of Mankato and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Nada and Harold Horswell of Armstrong, Iowa.